A Word About Online Pharmacies
You need to be aware that the manufacturers of Frontline, Heartgard, Interceptor,
Comfortis, etc., DO NOT guarantee products purchased from online pharmacies.
And why not? Because these (and other) pharmaceutical companies that
manufacture pet medications DO NOT and WILL NOT sell their products to online
distributors. Their products are only guaranteed when purchased from a licensed
veterinarian and where there is a valid doctor/patient relationship. These online
stores may offer some type of guarantee, but it's not a guarantee backed by the
manufacturer of the actual product.
Online companies have been accused of selling pet medications in the United
States that are actually manufactured and obtained through foreign and/or side
markets---leaving no certainty as to what those products ACTUALLY contain or
HOW they've been handled and stored, leaving you with a potentially ineffective (or
even dangerous) product. Foreign-based medications are not approved by the
United States FDA or the EPA for sale in the U.S. The formulation of these
products and their instructions for use are different from the products we
purchase directly from the manufacturers such as Novartis, Merial, Elanco, and
Pfizer. Furthermore, some products purchased online have been found to be
counterfeit and bootleg products---even repackaged to LOOK like the real thing.
Many people use online pharmacies because they feel they are saving money.
However, there is very little --if any-- savings on the majority of products, and
shipping and handling charges can cause your purchase price to exceed what it
costs to pick up your medications at your veterinarian's office. Did you know that
some products available in your veterinarian's office come with free offers and
rebates which can lower your cost? Just ask! You'll find that many of OUR prices
are actually MUCH lower than those of online warehouses.
As you can see, there are risks involved when purchasing medications from
anyone except your veterinarian. And if there is no substantial money saved (and
in many cases more money is actually spent), why take the risk?
---Information provided by representatives of Merial, Elanco, Novartis, and other licensed
manufacturers of your pets' medications.